Connections

The Matariki Network of universities comprises partners around the world including Durham University, Tϋbingen University (Germany), Uppsala University (Sweden), Queen’s University (Canada), University of the Western Cape (South Africa) and Otago University (New Zealand). Matariki is a Māori word for the Pleiades cluster of stars (also referred to as the Seven Sisters). Each university has Indigenous Leads who meet annually to discuss research and other matters of interest and how the network can collaborate and further mutual goals. The Indigenous Leads for Matariki are Sitna Quiroz Uria at Durham, Tubingen and Uppsala (TBA), Nathan Brinklow and Lisa Maracle at Queen’s, Matete Madiba at University of Western Cape, and Jacinta Ruru at Otago.

SIGICS is currently exploring a joint research and educational project with our Matariki partners concerning the Doctrine of Discovery (that began with a Papal Bull in 1452) essentially allowing European countries to colonize new areas without consideration for the needs or rights of the indigenous inhabitants and that still has reverberations today in many places.